Brosseau Homer Sends Rays to First ALCS Since 2008

The Tampa Bay Rays defeated the New York Yankees by the score of 2-1 in Game 5 of the ALDS on Friday evening. 

Despite finishing their 2020 campaign with the best record in the American League (40-20), Tampa Bay's season hung in the balance in a decisive ALDS contest against their pesky division rivals.

Both the Rays and Yankees swept their American League Wild Card Series matchups (against the Blue Jays and Indians, respectively) to qualify for Major League Baseball's final eight.

And in Friday's decisive Game 5, it seemed as though the 27-time MLB champion Yankees may be poised for yet another ALCS appearance.

In the first inning, the Rays had a golden opportunity to jump out to an early lead with the bases loaded, but failed to capitalize.

In the fourth, Yankees' outfielder Aaron Judge went deep to give New York a slim 1-0 advantage.

However, Tampa Bay responded in the fifth with a solo shot of their own, courtesy of leadoff hitter Austin Meadows.

Aside from two middle-inning blemishes, Friday's winner-take-all game was relatively well-pitched.

Yankees' starter Gerrit Cole went 5.1 IP, allowing just one hit (Meadows' homer) and striking out nine while issuing only two free passes.

Meanwhile, Rays' starter Tyler Glasnow was given a much shorter leash on limited rest, but Tampa Bay's bullpen seemed eager to pick up any slack.

Nonetheless, the pivotal moment of Game 5 came in the bottom of the eighth, when Mike Brosseau connected (on the 10th pitch of his at-bat) for his first postseason home run to light up the Rays' dugout.

Tampa Bay now led 2-1, standing merely three outs away from their first ALCS appearance in 12 years.

And in the ninth, Diego Castillo returned to the mound to slam the door on the Yankees' season.

The Rays will do battle with the Houston Astros in Game 1 of the ALCS on Sunday, October 11.

First pitch is slated for 7:37 PM EDT.


What are your thoughts on the Rays' postseason odds?

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